Joint for concrete structures



Feb. s, 1938. X H. ATTAUBENSEE 2,1 7,351

JOINT FOR CONCRETE STRUCTURES Filed Nov. 1, 1935 2 sheetssheet 1 Feb. s, was. A A. TAUBENSEE v 2,107,351

JOINT FOR CONCRETE STRUCTURES Filed Nov. 1, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Feb. 8, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Henry A. Taubensee, Chicago, 111., assignor of one-half to Ernest H. Geyer, Chicago, Ill.

Application November. 1, 1935, Serial No. 47,743

12 3laims.

The invention relates to joints for use in concrete structures for highways. I

One object of the invention is to provide an improved joint for expansion or contraction,

which comprises a longitudinally extending bar serving as a load-transfer member between the concrete at the sides of the joint and located above the bottom of the concrete and for supporting load-transfer members or plates which are bonded to the concrete at the sides of the joint. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide an expansion joint which comprises a hollow expansible and contractible structure and a longitudinally extending load-transfer bar Within the structure for carrying load-transfer plates which are bonded to the slabs at the sides of the structures, respectively.

Another objectof the invention is to provide an improved contraction-joint which comprises a longitudinally extending load-transfer bar and hangers carried by the bar for movably supporting load-transfer plates or members.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved expansion-joint which is of improved construction and functions efiiciently in use.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present 30 joint will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by claims at the con- 35 clusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

40 Fig. l is a horizontal section of an expansionjoint embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation; Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section on line 33 of Fig. 2; Fig, 4 is a longitudinal section on line 44 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective 45 of one of the load-transfer plates; Fig. 6 is a perspective of one of the separator-plates between the ends of the upwardly convergent legs of the hollowstructure; Fig. 7 is a sectional perspective of the longitudinal load-transfer bar and parts 50 of the hollow-structure; Fig. 8 is a sectional perspective of the adjacent legs, the separator-plates between them, and a load-transfer plate; Fig. 9 is a perspective of one of the boxes for enclosing the lower end of a hanger; Fig. 10 is a perspec- 55 tive of the washer overlying the bottom of one of the load-transfer plates; Fig. 11 is a transverse section illustrating a contraction-joint embodying the invention; Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the contraction-joint; and Fig. 6a is a section on line 6a--6a of Fig. 3.

The joint which is shown in Figs. 1 to 11 of the drawings constitutes one embodiment or form of the invention and is essentially an expansionjoint. It is adapted to be disposed between slabs it of concrete laid on a bed or sub-base 8 of a 10 road to permit expansion and contraction of the slabs resulting from temperature and moisture changes comprises hollow structure between the slabs. This structure comprises a series of holloW legs 14 and i5 which are alternately ar- 15 ranged in end-to-end relation to form upwardly convergent supports or struts. Each of these legs i l, [5 is formed of sheet metal and is U- shaped in cross-section. The upper margins of the sides of the legs have horizontal flanges I1 20 which extend outwardly and terminate in upturned vertical flanges H A continuously extending inverted U-shaped cap-strip II is provided at its lower margin with flanges ll which extend around and interlock with the flanges I1 and I! of the hollow legs. This U-shaped capstrip and the hollow legs form a hollow structure with side walls which are free to expand and contract responsively to expansion and contraction of the slabs of concrete. A bituminous filler I9 is usually applied over the closed top of the cap-strip H and between the slabs I0 of con-- crete. The interlocked flanges H, H, and l'l form an interlock between the sides of the hollow structure and the slabs and a channel for catching any water which may seep between the cap-. strip H and the slabs Hi. The legs l4, I5 are alternately arranged to extend to the opposite sides of the joint so the lower ends of the alternating legs will be staggered and converge up- 40 wardly to the cap-strip. This arrangement renders the hollow structure self-retaining so it will remain in place without stake-pins or other means to prevent the structure from tipping while the joint is being laid and also during pouring of the concrete in connection with the formation of the slabs Ill. Triangular separatorplates f2 are secured to the ends of contiguous legs M, IE to bridge the gap between their ends and prevent the flow of concrete from one side of the hollow structure to the other. These plates are preferably secured by suitable interfitting seams l2' to the adjacent ends of the legs l4, l5.

The metal forming the lower or inner wall of each of thelegs l4, |5 is extended horizontally or ofiset to form a continuously extending bearing l3 or shoulder for a load-transfer bar 20,

which extends longitudinally and continuously through the hollow structure and is enclosed therein. The bearings |3 alternately overlie the underlying portions of the slabs ID at the sides and under the legs I4, I 5 so that the load-transfer bar will be alternately supported by the slabs at the sides of and above the lower ends In consequence, they of the hollow structure. function as load-transfer members, between the slabs.

The bar 20 extends through and supports hangers 2|, which are arranged to depend therefrom between the ends of the legs |4, |5. Preferably the separator-plates |2 are formed of sections I2 |2, between the lapped margins of which the hangers extend and are enclosed (see Fig. 6a). The lower'ends of the hangers 2| extend into and are enclosed in boxes 22 having top flanges 23. 'These boxes are set into the bed 8 under the concrete slabs. Each hanger carries a supporting pin 2 l at its lower end, which is journaled in the hanger. Load-transfer plates or brackets 25 are provided adjacent the contiguous ends of the legs l4, l5. These plates or brackets 25 are preferably formed of plate metal.

, They are arranged in alternate relationand coniforming to the outer side walls of the legs M,

I5; and out-struck portions 28 which extend transverselyto the joint and serve to bind the sidesof the brackets 25 to the slabs H1. The base 26 of each bracket is adapted to rest on one of the pins 2| so that the bracket 25 will be supported through one of the hangers 2| from the longitudinal load-transfer bar 20 which is supported in the hollow structure and alternately by the slabs at the sides of the joint. Slots 30 are formed in the bases 26 to permit the brackets 25 to move laterally with the concrete slabs to which they are bonded responsively to expansion and contraction. Fibre washers 3| which fit around the hangers 2| close'the slots 36 in the bases 26 of the plates or brackets 25 and are held on the bases by shoulders 2| on. the hangers.

Theslabs of concrete at the sides of the joint have alternating recesses and projectionsfitting the downwardly divergent legs I4, |5. As a result, the continuous bar .20 is supported alter- 1 nately by the underlying projections of the slabs.

' outer walls of the hollow structure will be expanded.

In the construction described, the use of dowels for load-transfer between the slabs is eliminated. The longitudinal load-transfer bar is enclosed in the hollow structure and the load-transfer plates, which are bonded to the slabs, are efficiently and movably supported, so they can respond to the contraction and expansion of the slabs. This construction exemplifies an expansion-joint which is efiicient in use.

The joint which is shown in Figs. 11 and 12 constitutes a second embodiment or form of the invention. It is a contraction-joint and comprises sheet metal strips which extend down-, wardly from a longitudinal channel. 36 which contains a bituminous joint-filler 31. The lower ends of the strips 35 are extended outwardly as at 38 and provided with upstanding flanges 39 to bond the strips to the concrete sections at the sides thereof and form a water-check. A loadtransfer bar 40 is laid in the concrete longitudinally under the strips 35. This bar extends through hangers 4|, the upper ends of which are extended into a space 42 between the lower margins of the strips 35. Pins 43 are journaled in the lower ends of the hangers. Boxes 44 in the bed of the road enclose the lower ends of the hangers and the pins 43. Load-transfer brackets, substantially the same in construction as the brackets 25 hereinbefore described, are supported by the pins 43 and are bonded to the slab at alternate sides of the hangers. Fibre washers 3H fit over the bases of these brackets and around the hangersto close the slots in the bases.

Hangersv 4| are provided with shoulders 45 to hold down the washers and may be formed of a strip of wrought metal shaped to the desired form. When the pavement has been laid with this contraction-joint, it will split'along a meeting line between the strips 35 and downwardly to the bottom of the slab. When this occurs,

brackets 25 will transfer the load between the stricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described. the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: y

l. The combination of contiguous horizontally extending concrete slabs, a bar between the upper portions of the slabs extending from one side of the slabs to the other depending and supported by portions of the slabs, separately formed hangers spaced along and carried by the bar, and loadtransfer brackets having members bonded to one of the slabs and base-members slidably supported by the hangers.

2. The combination. of contiguous horizontally extending concrete slabs, a bar between the upper portions of the slabs extending from one side of the slabs to the other depending and supported by portions of the slabs, separately formed hangers spaced along and carried by the bar, rotatable members carried by the lower ends of the hangers, and alternately arranged. loadtransfer brackets bonded to the slabs respectively and having base-members supported by the rotatable members.

3. The combination of contiguous horizontally extending concrete slabs, a bar between the upper portions of the slabs extending from one side of the slabs to the other; and supported by portions of the slabs, separately formed, depending hangers spaced along and carried by the bar, alternately arranged load-transfer brackets bonded to the slabs respectively and having basemembers through which the hangers extend,

means on the lower end of the hangers for supporting the brackets, and boxes disposed under the base-members, and slabs and arranged so that they enclose the lower ends of the hangers.

4. The combination of contiguous horizontally extending concrete slabs, a bar between the upper portions of the slabs extending from one side of the slabs to the other and supported by portions of the slabs, separately formed, depending hangers spaced along and carried by the bar laterally arranged, load-transfer brackets bonded to the slabs respectively and having base-members with slots therein through which the hangers extend, means on the lower end of the hangers for carrying the base-members for sliding movement relative to the hangers, boxes disposed under the base-members, and slabs and arranged to enclose the lower ends of the hangers, and washers over the slots of the base-members and around the hangers.

5. The combination of contiguous horizontally extending slabs of concrete, a hollow expansion structure extending between the upper portions of the slabs and from one side of the slabs to the other, a load-transfer bar in and extending longitudinally of the structure and supported by underlying portions of the slabs, alternately arranged; load-transfer brackets bonded to the slabs respectively, and means carried by and depending from said bar for slidably supporting the brackets.

6. The combination of contiguous horizontally extending slabs of concrete, a hollow expansion structure positioned between the upper portions of the slabs and having the bottom portion thereof upwardly convergent alternately arranged hollow legs, a load-transfer bar in and extending longitudinally of the structure and located adjacent to the upper ends of the legs, alternately arranged load-transfer brackets associated with and underlying the legs of the structure and bonded to the slabs respectively, and means supported by said bar over which the brackets are slidable.

7. The combination of'contiguous slabs of concrete, a hollow expansion structure positioned between the slabs and having a central upper portion and downwardly divergent legs extending downwardly from the central portion, a loadtransfer bar extending longitudinally through the structure and located adjacent to the upper portions of the legs, alternately arranged load-transfer brackets bonded to the slabs at the sides of the structure respectively, and means supported by said bar for carrying the brackets.

8. The combination of contiguous slabs of concrete, a hollow expansion structure positioned between the slabs and having a central upper portion and downwardly divergent legs extending downwardly from the central portion, a loadtransfer bar extending longitudinally through the central portion of the structure, alternately arranged load-transfer brackets bonded to the slabs at the sides of the structure respectively, and vertical hangers carried in a depending manner by the bar and having means on their lower ends underlying the brackets and by which said brackets are movably supported.

9. The combination of contiguous concrete slabs, a hollow expansion structure positioned between the slabs and comprising a closure-strip at its top and alternately arranged upwardly convergent hollow legs having portions of the slabs of concrete therebeneath and embodying inwardly extending shoulders under the closure strip, a longitudinal load-transfer bar extending longitudinally through the structure, and resting on and supported by the shoulders, alternately arranged load-transfer brackets associated with the legs respectively and bonded to the slabs at the sides of the joint respectively and comprising base-members under the legs, and means for slidably supporting the brackets from the bar.

10. The combination of contiguous concrete slabs, a hollow expansion structure disposed between the slabs and having a closure-strip at its top and alternately arranged upwardly converging hollow legs having portions of the slabs of concrete thereabove and therebeneath and embodying inwardly extending shoulders under the closure-strip, a load-transfer bar extending longitudinally through the structure and resting upon and supported by the shoulders, alternately arranged load-transfer brackets associated with the legs respectively and bonded to the slabs at the sides of the joint respectively, and comprising base-members under the. legs, and vertical hangers depending from. the bar and provided with means under the base-member for movably carrying the brackets. I

11. The combination of concrete slabs, a hollow expansion structure disposed between the slabs and having a closure-strip at its top and also having, alternately arranged upwardly converging hollow legs beneath the strip and with portions of the slabs therebeneath, a load-transfer bar extending longitudinally through the. structure adj acent the upper portions of the legs and supported by said underlying portions of the slabs, loadtransfer brackets bonded to the slabs at the sides of the joint respectively and comprising basemembers under the legs, vertical hangers depending from the bar and provided with means for movably carrying the base-members of the brackets, and boxes under the slabs and around the lower ends of the hangers.

12. In a contraction joint for concrete, the combination of a slab of concrete with a channel extending transversely across the top portion thereof and adapted to receive a plastic filler, a strip extending longitudinally of and disposed beneath the channel, a bar disposed beneath and extending longitudinally of the strip, depending separately formed hangers carried by and spaced along the bar and provided with cross elements at the lower ends thereof, and load-transfer brackets having upwardly extending members and base-members movably supported on said cross elements at the lower ends of the hangers.

HENRY A. TAUBENSEE. 

